It was a stat that likely couldn't hold up too much longer. But after the Orioles held Tampa Bay to two runs or less for seven straight games, going 6-1 in that stretch, tonight the Rays scored three runs in the last of the seventh to go on to a 5-3 win over the Orioles in Game 1 of a three-game series. Coupled with New York's 10-2 win over Boston, the Orioles dropped to second place, one game back of the Yankees in the AL East with two games remaining. Also, should Oakland beat Texas later...

Ladies and gentlemen, the Washington Nationals are your 2012 National League East champions. It sure didn't come easily. The Nats had lost nine of their last 16 games coming into tonight and are currently trailing the Phillies 2-0 in the ninth inning here in Washington. The division clincher came 250 miles away from D.C., as the Braves lost to the Pirates 2-1, giving the NL East to the Nationals. The Nats should ship a fruit basket - or a few thousand of them - to their new friends in...

Through five innings, the Nationals have not managed a single run and have put up just three base hits - all singles - off Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick, who the Nats lit up on Wednesday, has let just four balls out of the infield. Of the 15 outs he's retired, 12 have been via the ground ball, and the Nationals' best threat so far only came after the Phillies starter chucked a pickoff throw down the right field line, allowing Kurt Suzuki to move from first to third. The play brought a large crowd...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen surrendered his 29th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Ben Zobrist taking him deep to break a scoreless tie. Chen has surrendered six homers in his last four starts, and at least one in six of his last seven outings. Zobrist also singled in the first inning and is 7-for-14 lifetime against Chen. The Orioles' offense tends to fade when Chen pitches, and their bats must have been left behind in Jacksonville. They have one hit...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles continue to downplay last night's unscheduled landing in Jacksonville, saying some of the media reports were exaggerated and it was really no big deal. "We're fine," said center fielder Adam Jones, clearly annoyed that the incident remained a hot topic today. Reminded how the Orioles' celebration was delayed because of their unexpected stop, Jones replied, "Doesn't matter. We're still fine. We're here alive and well." Manager Buck Showalter said...

There is no doubt that some Orioles fans may be a little nervous with Wei-Yin Chen on the mound tonight. The left-hander has been so good for most of this year for the O's but has shown signs of wearing down in recent starts. Chen is winless at 0-3 over his last six starts. In five September starts, he is 0-3 with a 5.90 ERA. Chen is now at 186 innings after throwing 164 2/3 last season in Japan. Chen was able to pitch seven innings or more, eight times over his first 22 O's starts, but has...

At the start of his afternoon press conference today, Davey Johnson was asked about the Orioles, his former team both as a player and a manager, clinching their first playoff spot since Johnson managed them in 1997. "It was great. Great," Johnson said. "Beat the Yankees. Finish ahead of the Yankees." Johnson then paused. "That'll get you fired," he said with a laugh. A couple minutes later, Johnson was asked how he feels about being mentioned as a candidate for the Manager of the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are encouraged by Jason Hammel's simulated game today in Sarosota, and he remains a candidate to start this weekend in the playoffs. Hammel threw 73 pitches in five innings at Ed Smith Stadium. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session and could start Saturday, at the earliest, because manager Buck Showalter won't use him on fewer than four days rest. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow when he comes in," Showalter said. "If he comes through that...

The Phillies defeated the Nationals 8-0 on September 27, 2010, before 14,309 at Nationals Park, to clinch the NL East crown. The Nationals managed just two hits that day, as Roy Halladay tossed a complete game for his 21st win. A look back at the starting lineups that day: Phillies Victorino CF Polanco 3B Utley 2B Howard 1B Werth RF Ibanez LF Ruiz C Valdez SS Halladay P Subs: Wilson Nationals Espinosa 2B Morgan CF Desmond SS Dunn 1B Morse RF Bernadina LF Ramos C Gonzalez 3B Lannan...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis was supposed to have the pins removed from his left thumb today, but the date has been pushed back a week after his examination today by a hand specialist in Sarasota. "They're staying in another week, so I'll get them out next Tuesday or Monday," he said. "It was just crushed too bad in there and I had a lot of pieces here and there. Probably on a clean break the pins could come out today, but my situation's a little different,...